Which component in dialysis is used to correct metabolic acidosis?

Which component in dialysis is used to correct metabolic acidosis?

• A. Sodium
• B. Bicarbonate
• C. Potassium
• D. Glucose

Answer: (B)

Metabolic acidosis during dialysis is corrected by the bicarbonate buffer in the dialysate. In kidney failure, the body loses bicarbonate and accumulates acids, causing low blood pH. During hemodialysis, blood exchanges across a membrane with dialysate that contains bicarbonate; bicarbonate diffuses into the blood while hydrogen ions diffuse into the dialysate, raising the plasma bicarbonate level and increasing pH. Some older solutions used lactate as a buffer, which is converted to bicarbonate in the body, but today the direct bicarbonate buffer is the standard. Sodium, potassium, and glucose in the dialysate have important roles for fluid, electrolyte, and energy balance, but they do not directly correct metabolic acidosis.

Metabolic acidosis during dialysis is corrected by the bicarbonate buffer in the dialysate. In kidney failure, the body loses bicarbonate and accumulates acids, causing low blood pH. During hemodialysis, blood exchanges across a membrane with dialysate that contains bicarbonate; bicarbonate diffuses into the blood while hydrogen ions diffuse into the dialysate, raising the plasma bicarbonate level and increasing pH. Some older solutions used lactate as a buffer, which is converted to bicarbonate in the body, but today the direct bicarbonate buffer is the standard. Sodium, potassium, and glucose in the dialysate have important roles for fluid, electrolyte, and energy balance, but they do not directly correct metabolic acidosis.